New Lake City school's staff has 'calling' to meet students' needs

LAKE CITY — The staff at Emmanuel Academy, a new private Christian school in Lake City, aims to offer “the next best thing to homeschooling” through small class sizes and attention to each student’s learning style, director Marcia Ramsey said.

“It’s not a job; this is our calling,” she said.

On Aug. 17, the school will hold its first classes for 5K through eighth grade. The school will have five to eight students, or fewer, in each class, said Ramsey, who will teach the younger grades at the school.

The school will include a traditional classroom setup, but also will incorporate the Montessori method, allowing students to move into a more relaxed setting, such as a sofa and chairs around a table, she said.

In a more comfortable setting, “the barriers come down” and students are more likely to attempt their writing and reading assignments and participate in discussions, Ramsey said.

Some classroom settings might only reach auditory learners, but Ramsey said she doesn’t want to miss those who learn through other methods such as hands-on instruction.

She wants gifted students to flourish and for students who need special attention to learn the same information by whatever means work best for them, she said.

“They feel safe; they feel comfortable,” said Debbie Miles, who will teach middle school grades at Emmanuel Academy. “It’s very relaxed, but it’s also very challenging.”

Ramsey said she knows how important it is to have the best learning learning environment for every child. Her daughter, Dana, was born with a rare disorder called occipital encephalocele and died in 1993, at age 7. Dana was “bright” in a comfortable environment, but became “vulnerable” when she wasn’t.

“I know that I’m a skilled teacher, but I have a mother’s heart, and I know the challenges you face in wanting the best for your child,” Ramsey said. “And we don’t live in a one-size-fits-all world when it comes to educating children.”

The school will follow South Carolina standards and administer placement test and standardized testing, said curriculum specialist Gloria Evans. Evans, Ramsey’s sister, has 30 years’ experience in public schools and is acting as a consultant for the new school.

The plans for Emmanuel Academy began to fall into place when Ramsey and Miles discussed their teaching ideals, which they decided to pursue if they could find a suitable location, Ramsey said.

They found a building on Dansing Street, which offers the benefit of proximity to the library, fire department, olice department, city offices, the National Bean Market Museum, The History Store and the Ronald E. McNair memorial. School leaders are planning interactive field trips to these locations and others, Ramsey said.

“So really, Emmanuel Academy is the culmination of two people, two teachers who feel called to work with children,” she said. “Our visions happen to blend well for these ages.” In addition to academics, the school will offer art, music and drama as well as optional piano and guitar lessons.

While teaching students in drama classes at the former Grace & Glory school in Coward, Ramsey said she and Miles found roles for all students, whether it was onstage or designing props.

Many schools are cutting arts education, but Ramsey wants to ensure her students have access to such programs.

“I feel like that is a chance for students to develop their confidence,” she said.

Emmanuel Academy also will offer Bible classes as electives, and Ramsey said she hopes churches will allow students to present holiday programs to their congregations.

“Emmanuel means ‘God with us,’” Ramsey said. “That name was not chosen just because it was a beautiful name. It was chosen because of that meaning.”

Teachers at the school also hope to teach students good stewardship by providing ways to give back to the community.

For students moving beyond eighth grade, the school is considering partnerships with virtual high schools and universities’ online programs, Evans said.

School leaders also could guide students into an adult education program or develop a high school program at Emmanuel, she said.

OPEN HOUSE
Emmanuel Academy, at 108 Dansing St. in Lake City, will have an open house for parents and potential students from 4 to 8 p.m. July 22. For more information, call (843) 374-2613.

FUNDRAISER
Emmanuel Academy will sell chicken bog plates from Pop’s BBQ during a fundraiser July 28. The cost is $7 per plate, and the school also is accepting donations. Plates are available by pick-up or delivery, and all money raised will go toward the school. For more information, call (843) 374-2613.